Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you are a physician interested in applying for the RDMS credential with an OB/GYN specialty, please visit the website for ARDMS's new physician-centric companion Council, the Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA).​​​​​​​​

To earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential with an OB/GYN specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the OB/GYN examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

You must wait 60 days before you can retake the OB/GYN examination if you do not pass it however, you are welcome to reapply after 3 days.

Overview

OB/GYN Examination Overview

​The OB/GYN examination assesses the knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of the female reproductive system as well as the fetus in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

We periodically conduct an OB/GYN Job Task Analysis (JTA) and update the OB/GYN examination to reflect the frequency and importance of OB/GYN tasks being performed by Sonography Professionals.

Question Format & Duration

​The OB/GYN examination is three hours and contains approximately​ 170 questions, which include hotspot and PACSim questions. The hotspot questions are Advanced Item Type questions that assess and measure your practical sonography skills. PACSim questions​ are designed to simulate an interpretation workstation experience relevant to actual present-day medical practice. Learn more about our PACSim questions​.

To earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential with an OB/GYN specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the OB/GYN examination within five years.

After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Impartiality

​ARDMS functions under policies intended to demonstrate impartiality, high ethical standards, and validity of its certification assessments. ARDMS does not restrict Applicants, Candidates, or becoming a Registrant based on limiting conditions, such as membership of an association or professional society of any organization. ARDMS will not unfairly impede or inhibit access to its certification to Applicants, Candidates or Registrants who meet our stated policies regarding qualification requirements, renewal requirements and/or passing ARDMS’ psychometrically sound certification assessments.

Five-year Rule

​To earn an RDMS, RDCS, RVT or RMSKS credential, you must pass the SPI examination and a corresponding specialty examination within five years, regardless of sequence. This five-year rule does not apply if you are seeking additional specialties under a credential already earned or if you have already earned a credential with the SPI examination. If you do not complete both examinations within the five-year period, you must retake the examination previously passed.

The five-year rule is based on the calendar year (January 1 through December 31). The five-year period begins the day you pass the first examination, and it includes any time that remains in that year plus the next five years. For example, a candidate who passed the first ARDMS examination on June 6, 2010, is required to pass the second examination by December 31, 2015.

Re-applicant

You will be considered a Re-applicant for the OB/GYN examination:

•​​ ​If you were previously approved to sit for any of the following Sonographer-level specialty examinations:

1. Abdomen (AB)

2. Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

3. Breast (BR)

4. Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

5. Pediatric Sonography (PS)

6. Adult Echocardiography (AE)

7. Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)

8. Vascular Technology (VT)​

•​​ If you were previously approved to sit for the SPI examination under a prerequisite (excludes approval of the SPI examination under the SPI Examination Requirement)

Applying as a Re-applicant:

•​​ If you have a current OB/GYN Clinical Verification (CV) Form on file, you will need to submit the application and examination fee only. The application will automatically be approved and you will be able to schedule within a day.

•​​ If you do not have a current OB/GYN CV Form on file, you will need to submit the application, the examination fee and a current OB/GYN CV Form. To access your active CV Forms, please log into MY APCA and click on "Clinical Verification Form" under "Application Center." You must wait 60 days before you can retake the OB/GYN examination if you do not pass it however, you are welcome to reapply after 3 days. ​

Prerequisites

OB/GYN Prerequisites

​To sit for the OB/GYN examination and earn the RDMS credential, First-Time Applicants must select a prerequisite that best meets your education and clinical experience.

Application Letter Requirements

• Be an official letter with the address and telephone number indicated • Include the current date (mm/dd/yyyy) • State actual dates of employment or program • Contain original signatures (stamped and/or computer generated signatures are not acceptable); letters cannot be signed by a relative of the applicant • Provide a physician’s medical license number or chief sonographer’s/technologist’s ARDMS number

Employment letters must indicate full-time or part-time training/experience AND must include the total number of paid clinical hours.

Program completion letters must include the total number of hours in the program and state individually, the number of didactic and clinical hours in the program.

Sample Letters

​​Provided are some sample letters that may correspond with your prerequisite requirements:

CV Forms

Standard Clinical Verification forms are intended for applicants residing in the U.S or Canada. International Clinical Verification forms are intended for applicants residing outside the U.S. or Canada. Please note that the home address on record at the time of application submission is the basis for determining which form to use.

Applicants that have passed all three parts of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®) certification may submit a copy of the ECFMG® certificate with a copy of an active MD or DO license from the U.S. or Canada in lieu of the evaluation.

Document Requirements

Please note: We will no longer retain application documentation received prior to receipt and payment of the online application. Any documentation received prior to the completed online application will be discarded.

Apply

Application Process

​Once you are ready to apply for an ARDMS examination, follow the steps below:

Complete the online application form and submit payment. If you are a first-time applicant, you are required to choose a prerequisite under which to apply.

Gather the required supporting documentation.

Submit your supporting documentation for receipt within 21 days of applying online. You may do this by mail or by submitting through MY ARDMS. Review of your application can take up to five business days from receipt of documentation in the office.

For more details, please visit the ARDMS How to Apply ​Guide​​​​. For a copy of this guide, complete the How to Apply Guide Request.

Once we have reviewed your information, we will email you with either an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) or a request for additional documentation. When you receive the ECL, you may contact Pearson VUE to schedule an examination appointment during your 90-day eligibility period.

If you are found ineligible to take the examination, your application will be partially refunded (less the $100 USD processing fee per examination) and your documentation will be mailed back to you.

OB/GYN Examination Fees

If you take an ARDMS examination at an international test center (outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico), you will be charged an additional non-refundable $100 USD fee when you schedule your examination. This fee is subject to change without notice.

Reimbursement Information for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans: ​Learn more about the GI Reimbursement Program​ for United States Armed Forces Veterans.

Application Checklist

​The application checklist is a helpful, online tool that lets you track the status of your submitted application. To view it, log into MY ARDMS and visit "Application Checklist" from the "Application Center" drop down menu.

Once we have reviewed your documentation, you can find out what documentation we accepted and what additional documentation we may still need by selecting “View Checklist.” If “View Checklist” is not available, it simply means we have not yet reviewed your documentation.

Examination Confirmation Letter

If you are found eligible to take an examination, we will email you an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) within one to two days of application approval and you will be able to schedule your appointment at that time. The ECL will also be posted to your MY ARDMS account and will include your eligibility period to schedule and take your examination.

Are you a Re-applicant?

You will be considered a Re-applicant for the OB/GYN examination:

•​​ ​If you were previously approved to sit for any of the following Sonographer-level specialty examinations:

1. Abdomen (AB)

2. Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

3. Breast (BR)

4. Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

5. Pediatric Sonography (PS)

6. Adult Echocardiography (AE)

7. Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)

8. Vascular Technology (VT)

•​​ If you were previously approved to sit for the SPI examination under a prerequisite (excludes approval of the SPI examination under the SPI Examination Requirement)

Applying as a Re-applicant:

•​​ If you have a current OB/GYN Clinical Verification (CV) Form on file, you will need to submit the application and examination fee only. The application will automatically be approved and you will be able to schedule within a day.

•​​ If you do not have a current OB/GYN CV Form on file, you will need to submit the application, the examination fee and a current OB/GYN CV Form. To access your active CV Forms, please log into MY ARDMS​ and click on "Clinical Verification Form" under

"Application Center."

You must wait 60 days before you can retake the OB/GYN examination if you do not pass it however, you are welcome to reapply after 3 days. ​

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

​If you need special accommodations, please select "Yes” for “Special Accommodations” in the application and submit the following along with your completed application:

• An original copy of a letter dated within the past five years and typed on official letterhead from a qualified physician or health care provider who specializes in the disability. This letter must document the disability and its severity, describe the applicant's limitation due to the disability and state exactly what accommodations are recommended. The letter must contain an original signature and the physician's or provider’s credentials. • An original copy of a comprehensive medical evaluation/report of the diagnosed disability from the physician or health care provider, dated within the past five years. • A completed Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Special Accommodations Questionnaire​, which must be submitted each time you apply for an examination.

Schedule an Examination

​Once your OB/GYN application has been approved, an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) will be emailed to you to schedule an examination with Pearson VUE – ARDMS’ official testing vendor. You will have 90 days to schedule and take your examination.

If you are taking the examination at an international test center (outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico), a $100 USD non-refundable fee and Value Added Tax (VAT) will be charged by Pearson VUE. All international scheduling fees and associated VAT will be charged at the time the examination is scheduled. The fees and associated VAT are subject to change without notice, and they are non-refundable.

Reschedule an Examination

​To reschedule the date and time of your examination during your eligibility period, you must contact Pearson VUE (1-877-258-9220) at least 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination date and time.

Cancel an Examination

​To cancel an examination appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE (1-877-258-9220) and cancel the scheduled appointment no later than 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination appointment time. You will receive a cancellation email from Pearson VUE.

To request a partial refund, you must wait 24 hours after canceling the appointment with Pearson VUE and then submit a cancellation/partial refund request no later than 96 hours prior to the last date of the eligibility period.

We will refund your examination fee, less the $100 USD processing fee per examination, unless we receive your request too late, you never schedule your examination or you do not keep your scheduled examination appointment. Then, the entire examination and processing fees are forfeited.

Examination Extensions

​If you need more time and cannot schedule your examination within the 90-day eligibility period, you can request a one-time 60-day extension for the examination. You must request this extension at least 96 hours prior to the last date of the eligibility period.

If you have a scheduled examination appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE(1-877-258-9220) at least 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination, and notify them that you are cancelling your scheduled appointment before you complete the steps above to request an extension.

The entire examination fee is forfeited if we receive your request too late, you never schedule your examination or you do not keep your scheduled examination appointment.

Note: The only thing that you can bring into the testing room is you. The test centers have lockers you can use to store personal belongings. Study materials as well as food and drink are prohibited in the test center. No visitors, guests, pets or children are allowed.

Important: Review ARDMS’ Examination Admission Compliance policies to ensure you are not refused admission at the test center and do not conduct unauthorized examination behavior.

Test centers will provide white boards for notes during the examination upon request.

If you need special accommodations, please select "Yes” for “Special Accommodations” in the application when you apply.

Prepare

About the OB/GYN Practice Test

Taking a practice test or two is a great way to prepare for your actual examination. We offer an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Practice Test that simulates the computer interface used in the actual test center environment. The OB/GYN practice test review is comprised of 30 sample questions and is 30 minutes long.

After you complete a practice test, you will be emailed a report that shows the number of questions you answered correctly. While the report is an indication of your knowledge, the practice tests results should not be used to predict how well you will perform on the actual examination at the test center.

Register for an OB/GYN Practice Test

Each practice test costs $35 USD.

You can now register for an OB/GYN practice test by signing into your MY ARDMS​ account and clicking the Sign Up/View Practice Test option in the Application Center tab. You can also view the computer system requirements in your MY ARDMS portal. For any general questions or technical problems regarding the practice tests, please call ARDMS at (800) 541-9754 option 1​ or email practicetests@ARDMS.org.

Before you start your test you should review the test tutorial. Please note you will not get a chance to review the test tutorial during the actual practice test, so please prepare accordingly. Once your session begins, you have 30 minutes to complete the practice test.

Register for an OB/GYN practice test, by signing in your MY ARDMS​ account.

Review the OB/GYN Content Outline

The OB/GYN examination is three hours and contains approximately 170 questions, which include hotspot and PACSim questions.​​ All percentages are an approximate distribution of the questions across the content areas. Read more about the PACSim question​s​​. Please review the content outline below:

Your score report will display and include performance feedback for these content areas.

Review Our Tips for Examination Day Success

​After all of your diligent preparation and hours spent studying, here are a few valuable tips to help make your examination day a success:

• Double check that you know where the test center is before examination day and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Remember, you MUST arrive and register at least 30 minutes before the examination begins. • Get a good night's sleep before you take your examination. Being well rested and relaxed when you take your examination will help you concentrate. • Bring one form of current and valid identification that complies with thetest center identification requirements. • Travel light. The only thing you can bring into the testing room is you. You can store your personal belongings — your car keys, watch, smartphone, purse, backpack, etc. — in lockers at the test center. The following items are not allowed in test centers: study materials, food, drink, visitors/guests, pets and children. • Request a white board if you plan to jot down notes during the examination. Test centers are using white boards (rather than paper) in an effort to "go green."

Good luck!

Use Study Materials

​Even though we offer practice examinations and sample questions, we do not offer study materials for our examinations – but our sister organizations do. You can find materials at:

How Is the OB/GYN Examination Scored?

​The OB/GYN examination evaluates the OB/GYN knowledge and skills you must demonstrate as a Sonography Professional. The primary test result is a PASS or FAIL decision. In addition, you will receive a scaled score, ranging from 300 to 700. A scaled score of 555 is required to pass all ARDMS examinations.

The scaled score is not a percentage of correct answers, nor is it built on a "curve" where a certain percentage of scores would pass and a certain percentage would fail. To learn more, visit Notification of Results and Scoring.

How Do I Get My OB/GYN Score Report?

​You can receive a score report at the test center once you complete the examination. The Pass or Fail results will then be posted to your secure MY ARDMS account within the next week.

Candidates receiving a confirmed passing score on all required
examinations and meeting all other requirements will be awarded a
certification, effective the date the final examination was taken. For
information on the ARDMS' scoring methods, visit Notification of Results and Scoring.

School Reports

Program Directors can receive a School Report for current programs and programs completed in the past three years. To learn more, visit School Reports.

Score Verification

​You can request a score verification for a $35 USD fee, payable by check, money order or credit card. Score verification ensures that the computer counted the correct and incorrect answers appropriately, but it does not review the questions and answers.

You must submit the completed Exam Score Verification Form​ within 30 days of having taken the examination in question. The Exam Score Verification Form will be returned if incomplete, unsigned or unpaid.

When deciding whether to have your score verified, please consider that ARDMS examinations are scored electronically with a high degree of accuracy, and it is unlikely that verification will alter your original score.

Statistics

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ARDMS certification examinations are developed to assess the knowledge and skills necessary to practice the specialty safely and competently.